Manchester Council ‘in discussions’ to buy Great Northern

MANCHESTER City Council has confirmed it is in negotiations with Capital & Regional to buy the Great Northern Warehouse.

The Grade II-listed building, which covers a 10 acre site between Deansgate and Manchester Central, was restored in 1998 for £100m.

Reports suggest that the council has put in a bid of £75m for the building. However, Sir Howard Bernstein, the chief executive of Manchester City Council, did not confirm this figure in his statement.

He said: “We can confirm we are in discussions with the owners of the Great Northern Warehouse with regard to a possible acquisition.

“We recognise that this building is strategically important for Manchester. It could play a crucial part in our city centre regeneration plans which, through careful, considered and comprehensive planning, will ensure our priorities can be delivered over time.”